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Project Introduction
Cambodia, a country with the historical pain of the 'Killing Fields' caused by the Khmer Rouge. The once brilliant culture and art were shattered. Now, through your strength and education, awaken the greatness of cultural and artistic heritage that was halted by history, and transform the national pain of the Killing Fields into development and support!
This is a volunteer project providing education and support activities across various institutions that need culture and art, including an arts university sponsored by the Cambodian Royal Family, art high schools, local schools, and NGOs.
12.3 Week
Based on past participants’ experiences, we’ve organized the common themes of learning, reflection, and growth by time period.
What makes this project special
Grow
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Project Activities
- This project is conducted in English.
- After arriving locally, participants will attend a pre-orientation and training, as well as a city tour, with local staff to ensure smooth work and adaptation.
- The main tasks of this project include teaching and educational support at schools and institutions, developing teaching materials, and conducting personal research activities.
- The recommended start dates for this project are the first and third Monday of each month.
1. Practical Cambodian language and cultural understanding education for volunteering
2. Educational and support activities for children with local NGOs, as well as support projects for elementary and middle schools and NGOs, and office assistance activities
3. Survey work and data organization for building a database
4. Development of teaching materials for beginners and intermediates and the organization and development of university materials
5. Monthly music concerts, environmental beautification support, and other irregular activities
6. Other tasks as required by local institutions.
- Volunteer tasks are assigned based on the participant's major and experience, and participants are expected to plan a cultural and arts project that will be beneficial to the local community before deployment.
- The schedule may change depending on local circumstances, with a typical workweek being 4-5 days.
* For cultural arts majors seeking professional experience locally, a related internship project is recommended. ▶︎ View Internship Project
* Photos of participants currently engaged in the project
Participant Jeong So-jin
I felt that if I didn't take action now, I would return to my old ways—doing nothing and taking no risks.
Before starting my gap year, my goal was to be more active and engaged than I had been in Korea, in everything from interacting with people to carrying out my tasks. During the gap year, however, I didn't have much time to reflect on this goal because I was busy interacting with the children and my colleagues. I found myself becoming more active and outgoing without even realizing it, and I became someone who was proactive with the children and my friends.
Participant Kim Tae-ri
" I wanted a purpose in life "
I started thinking a lot about how to live a happy life, where I find happiness, and who I really am.
But I realized it was time to stop just thinking and start taking action, and my first step was the gap year.
On the day I left, the children from the Solomon, Isaac, and David classes drew pictures for me. Even though their teacher probably instructed them to do it, it was so cute to see 'Tae-ri' written in Korean. The Solomon class, with whom I spent the most time, wrote, 'Teacher Tae-ri, please don't forget us.' No teacher could hold back tears after seeing that.
* You can find more detailed stories from participants at Gap Year Stories (Click).
* For more participant reviews, please visit the "Participant Reviews" section at the bottom of the project page.
Support
Not Included
- Round-trip airfare
- Individual travel insurance costs
- Other local living expenses
- Visa fees
Institution Introduction
Supported by the Cambodian royal family, this specialized university of arts is the only public institution dedicated to arts education located in the capital, Phnom Penh. The university is highly regarded as the leading institution in cultural arts, under national management. Established in 1918 as the Khmer Arts School in Phnom Penh, it has become a place where students passionately pursue their studies to preserve the soul of Cambodian culture and arts.
After its founding, the university faced a dark period from 1975 to 1980, when Cambodia was ruled by the radical communist Khmer Rouge. The institution offers five departments: Architecture, Urban Living, Fine Arts, Choreography, and Western Music. Currently, a Korean professor couple is contributing significantly to the development of Cambodian music.
Accommodation Introduction
During the project period, you will stay at a guesthouse-style volunteer accommodation with other participants. Generally, the ratio of international to Korean participants is higher, so you'll have the chance to meet a variety of friends and enjoy communal living. The guesthouse is run by a local Cambodian family who have been operating it for many years, and it is located in the city center, ensuring a safe living environment.
The rooms accommodate up to 3 people and each room is equipped with a private bathroom, a fan, and basic furniture. The common area on the 2nd floor has a sofa, table, and chairs, providing relaxation facilities where you can unwind after work or spend time with friends on weekends.
Meals are provided for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can choose your preferred menu in advance, and lunch can be packed as a lunchbox. Breakfast usually consists of simple items like bread, eggs, and fruit with tea, while lunch and dinner include a variety of options such as sandwiches, fried rice, noodles, curry, and meat dishes. The accommodation is located in Phnom Penh city, making it convenient for project participation during the week and sightseeing on weekends. The walk to the activity center takes about 25 minutes, or approximately 15 minutes by tuk-tuk, a common Cambodian transport.
Shared room / Private bathroom (hot water available) / 3 meals per day (breakfast/lunch/dinner) provided / fan available
* Participants wishing to change options within the accommodation can select additional options for air conditioning and single/double/triple rooms after paying additional costs, according to the accommodation TO.
Note that Cambodia is generally hottest from March to May, and rooms tend to fill up quickly between July and August.
* The time required to move to the activity institution may vary depending on traffic conditions.
* The above photo is an example for reference to help understand, and the room's layout and furniture may vary depending on the timing of your stay and local conditions.
* If you are sensitive to heat and need to switch to an air-conditioned room while on site, you can do so by paying additional costs, but availability may vary depending on local conditions.
#A Few Tips on Cambodian Transportation
Cambodia has a weak transportation infrastructure, and public transport systems like city buses and subways are underdeveloped. The main modes of transport in Cambodia are motorcycle taxis, where you sit on the back of a motorcycle, and tuk-tuks, which are three-wheeled vehicles modified from motorcycles. Motorcycle taxis are very unsafe, so it is recommended to use tuk-tuks for safety, even if they cost a bit more. Unlike regular taxis, tuk-tuks do not have a fixed fare, and the price is negotiated with the driver each time. A typical one-way fare starts around 2 USD, but costs can vary significantly depending on distance, time of day, and number of passengers. It may be confusing at first to navigate the unfamiliar transportation system compared to what you are used to, but if you understand and adapt to Cambodia's transportation system and local culture, you'll have a more enjoyable experience in Cambodia!
Location Introduction
Location : Cambodia, Phnom Penh
Cambodia's official name is the ‘Kingdom of Cambodia,’ and it is a country located in the southeastern part of the Indochina Peninsula, bordered by Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. The capital city, Phnom Penh, is the center of economic and political life, where the painful past of the French colonial era and modern development coexist.
The city is full of attractions such as the National Museum, the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, and the Independence Monument. However, behind the economic development, there are also many Cambodian citizens struggling to make a living. To address these social issues in Cambodia, numerous volunteers from around the world are involved, and various international NGOs are present.
■ Introduction to the Destination
Top Travel Spot - Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is a temple located in Angkor and is a representative architectural marvel of Cambodia. Founded in the early 12th century as the state temple of the Khmer Empire, it is one of the best-preserved sites. It became the center of all religious activities and is considered one of the largest and most beautiful religious monuments in the world. Angkor Wat is a prominent symbol of Cambodia, also featured on the national flag.
Top Travel Spot 2 - Wat Phnom
Wat Phnom, which means ‘Temple on the Hill,’ is a quiet and clean park. It is a popular spot among both locals and many international tourists, known for its unique legend. According to the story, during a great flood in Phnom Penh, a tree with four Buddha statues floated down the river. To enshrine these statues, a hill was built and the temple of Wat Phnom was constructed. The story of ‘Grandmother Penh,’ which is the origin of Wat Phnom, offers insight into the deep Buddhist faith of the Cambodian people.
Schedule and Prices
■ Projects start on the first and third Mondays of each month.
■ The minimum participation period for this project is 4 weeks .
■ Project Fees
- 4 weeks : 1,990,000 KRW
- 8 weeks : 2,630,000 KRW
- 12 weeks : 3,530,000 KRW
- 16 weeks : 4,420,000 KRW
* For popular projects, there may be no available spots, so please apply early to secure your spot.
■ Gap Year Mission Scholarship (▶ More Details)
■ Installment Payment Information
If you are unable to pay in full, please make a prepayment of 500,000 KRW and pay the remaining balance within 2 weeks. Based on the date of the prepayment, we will process the confirmation of your participation and check availability and spots. To participate on your desired dates and duration, early spot reservation is important! (Refunds are not possible once participation is confirmed)
* Note that the remaining balance payment schedule may vary depending on the timing of your application.
■ Early Bird Discount and Urgent Application Information
We recommend applying for all Gap Year projects at least 3 months before the project start date for normal processing and preparation. Applications should be made at least 2 months in advance. If you need to participate urgently, you can use the urgent application service to expedite the process with an additional fee.
* While we strive to expedite the process, there may be time required for communication with local agencies and confirmation of participation. All procedures will be the same as for regular participants, so those using the urgent application service should actively cooperate with the Gap Year Operations Team.
** Those who apply at least 180 days before the start date can receive an early bird discount.
*** Urgent application services can be selected from the options above, and inquiries about urgent application services should be sent to koreagapyear@gmail.com.
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- Provided Services: Automatic application for Gap Year Mission and notes / Full provision of OT materials upon confirmation / Additional urgent personnel allocation / Support in preparing documents if needed, etc.
* If you have difficulty calculating dates, please refer to the Naver date calculator >> Naver Date Calculator
** Note: For extremely urgent applications, spots may not be available depending on local circumstances, and the process will proceed according to Gap Year refund regulations. Additionally, any issues arising from the participant's non-cooperation are the responsibility of the participant.
■ Estimated Additional Costs (per week)
| Item | Details and Notes | Amount | Category |
| Round-trip Airfare (Including TAX) | Varies by flight | Approx. 350,000 ~ 800,000 KRW | Not Included |
| Visa Issuance Fee | Visa processing and issuance fee | $30 | |
| Individual Travel Insurance | Varies by insurance company / duration | Approx. 10,000 KRW |
*Airfare may vary depending on the flight.
*Local living expenses are estimated and may vary depending on the participant's preferences.
*Participant's travel expenses and personal spending are additional.
■ Reference (Estimated Local Prices)
| Accommodation | Per Night | Meals | Per Meal |
| Guesthouse | Approx. 20,000 KRW | Local Meal | Approx. 3,000 KRW |
| Hotel |
Approx. 30,000 KRW |
Restaurant | Approx. 7,000 KRW |
*The estimated local prices are based on average standards and may vary depending on the participant's preferences.
